Dr. Schivel tepid choice in exceptionally deep Bing Crosby
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DEL MAR, Calif. – Sprinters arrived in droves for the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes on Saturday at Del Mar, none more qualified than multiple Grade 1 winner Dr. Schivel.
Twelve entered the $400,000 Bing Crosby. The winner of the six-furlong race earns a fees-paid entry in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint and the prestige of defeating an outstanding lineup.
In addition to Dr. Schivel, the field includes Grade 1 winners American Theorem and Sibelius; The Chosen Vron, a graded winner who has won seven straight California-bred stakes; and graded winners Spirit of Makena, C Z Rocket, and Anarchist. Others are graded-placed Hoist the Gold, Todo Fino, Get Her Number, and fast allowance sprinters Kid Corleone and Peaceful Waters.
This year’s Bing Crosby field would be biggest since the 10-runner field in 2004. Dr. Schivel is the likely favorite in his third start of the season. His allowance smasher two back earned the highest speed figure of the season in California, a 105 Beyer. He followed it up with a better-than-looked fifth in the Grade 1 Met Mile.
“It’s disappointing when you don’t run any better, but he didn’t get a fair shot,” trainer Mark Glatt said. “He’s bounced back well and seems to be doing as good as ever. I expect him to run well.”
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Dr. Schivel was sandwiched in a pace duel in the Met Mile, sucked back to chase, and re-rallied mildly for fifth. Not bad for a consistent sprinter whose 3-for-4 record at Del Mar includes wins in the 2020 Del Mar Futurity and 2021 Bing Crosby.
“Certainly, one could say he doesn’t mind this track,” Glatt said.
Juan Hernandez worked Dr. Schivel a sharp five furlongs last week and rides him from post 11 Saturday over a dirt surface that was biased toward outside lanes opening week of the meet. Dr. Schivel, 6 of 12 in his career, finished second by a nose in the 2021 BC Sprint, his only Del Mar defeat.
The Chosen Vron, 12 for 16, is seeking his eighth straight victory while making his first start since a smashing win two months ago over Brickyard Ride in a California-bred stakes. However, trainer Eric Kruljac said The Chosen Vron is not a confirmed starter in the Bing Crosby.
“I’m 50-50 whether I run,” Kruljac said midweek, preferring to assess the Bing Crosby field and post position before committing. Hector Berrios would ride The Chosen Vron from post 4 in the 12-horse field. Kruljac said The Chosen Vron is training “fabulous.” If he skips the Bing Crosby, the backup race is the $150,000 California Dreamin’ Stakes, a California-bred turf route Aug. 5.
Anarchist finished second last out in the Grade 2 True North at Belmont Park, while nearly four lengths clear of third. True North winner Elite Power is an early favorite Saturday in the Grade 1 Vanderbilt at Saratoga. Doug O’Neill trains Anarchist, whose rider is Ramon Vazquez.
Peaceful Waters is making his first start for trainer John Sadler. He was purchased for $310,000 this spring at the same horses-of-racing-age sale from which Sadler purchased subsequent Pacific Classic winner Higher Power in 2019.
Peaceful Waters “is training really well, he’s a horse who likes to win,” Sadler said. “I’m excited to get him started.”
Antonio Fresu rides Peaceful Waters, an allowance-caliber 4-year-old with three wins and three seconds from nine starts.
Trainer George Papaprodromou starts 2022 Bing Crosby winner American Theorem and Spirit of Makena. Papaprodomou will forgive American Theorem for his comeback fifth.
“He wasn’t ready, he needed the race,” he said. American Theorem was making his first start in seven months. Umberto Rispoli rides him Saturday.
Papaprodromou acknowledged Spirit of Makena may prefer farther than six furlongs.
“Definitely seventh-eighths would be much better, but he’s a horse who can rate,” the trainer said.
Spirit of Makena shortens up off two graded wins at seven furlongs. He drew post 2 under Joe Bravo.
Midwest shipper Hoist the Gold drew the rail; Florida speedster Todo Fino drew post 3; Golden Shaheen winner Sibelius drew post 9 and should be forwardly placed along with Kid Corleone, Peaceful Waters, and Dr. Schivel. The 9-year-old veteran C Z Rocket and Get Her Number, Grade 1-placed sprinters trained by Peter Miller, will rally late.
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